Strike Continues After Brief Meeting
Barcelona's public library workers will maintain their strike action following a meeting with the city council on Wednesday that lasted just ten minutes and produced no proposals to resolve the ongoing dispute. The Works Committee, representing staff, said the administration did not present any documents or offers during the encounter, the first since June. The industrial action began in May over disagreements concerning the application of a new municipal collective agreement. According to the Works Committee, council representatives showed no willingness to negotiate and criticised the workers for maintaining their demands, which the union insists are valid and non-negotiable under labour rights.
In the meeting, which lasted 10 minutes, the administration did not hide its lack of negotiating will, brought no proposals or documents, and reproached us for maintaining our demands.
Protest Planned for Thursday
With no breakthrough achieved, library staff have called for a new demonstration this Thursday in front of the City Council's Human Resources headquarters. Workers plan to shut down facilities en masse and hold a picket to pressure the council into entering what they describe as "real and effective negotiation". The mobilisation follows an extraordinary plenary session held Tuesday, where Junts per Barcelona, Barcelona en Comú, and ERC approved a declaration urging Mayor Jaume Collboni to urgently convene a dialogue table with worker representatives. The municipal government voted against the motion, while PP and Vox abstained.
Cultural Councillor Defends Council Stance
Councillor for Culture Xavier Marcé, speaking during Tuesday's session, argued that opposition parties were acting out of electoral rather than labour interests. He called for institutional responsibility and stated the conflict extends beyond the city council’s sole remit. Despite political pressure and renewed calls for dialogue, no further talks have been scheduled. Library services across Barcelona remain disrupted, affecting access for residents, students, and visitors relying on reading rooms, digital resources, and community programmes. Residents can check the official agenda document for details of the urgent plenary discussion on library services.
Primary sources: Ayuntamiento de Barcelona, ajuntament.barcelona.cat. Reported by elnacional.cat, beteve.cat, El Nacional.
